Reading Specialist Certification in Oklahoma

If you live in Oklahoma and want to help students with literacy issues, you might consider become a reading specialist. In Oklahoma, there are specific education and testing requirements needed to become a reading specialist, which are outlined below.

In Oklahoma, a reading specialist is a teacher who has completed a graduate training program in addition to a bachelor's degree. If you'd like to learn how you can become a reading specialist in Oklahoma, we can help.

Education Requirements for Oklahoma Reading Specialists

The general requirement to become a reading specialist is a master's degree in reading education. After completion of your bachelor's degree program, you can then enter into one of Oklahoma's master's degree programs specializing in reading education. Prerequisites could include a current teaching certificate and sufficient reading courses as an undergraduate. It is important to understand that each program has its own prerequisites for entry into reading specialist programs, so be sure to look ahead of time.

In a reading specialist master's degree program, you might need to maintain a GPA of at least 2.75 or higher. The courses you'll take look at literacy education as well as general education practices. Some of the courses you may see in your program include adolescent literacy, theoretical basis of reading, foundations of reading, reading intervention, correction of reading, curriculum issues, educational advocacy, and reading instruction. You might also have to complete field experiences and a practicum.

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Exam Requirements for Oklahoma Reading Specialists

A reading specialist in Oklahoma must complete all of the same exams that a typical teacher does. This means that you will need to take exams set forth by the Certification Examinations for Oklahoma Educators (CEOE).

If you don't already have your initial teaching license, the first exam you'll take is the Oklahoma General Education Test (OGET). This exam looks at your basic knowledge in math, reading, and writing. You'll have four hours to complete the 100 multiple-choice questions and single essay. To pass, you'll need a score of at least 240.

The next exam you'll take is the Oklahoma Professional Teaching Examination (OPTE). There are two of these exams, one for grades PK-8 and another for grades 6-12. You'll want to take the exam appropriate for the grade level you're interested in teaching. Both exams include 75 multiple-choice questions and three written assignments. You'll have four hours to complete either exam, and the testing fee is $165 for each. Again, you'll need to score 240 or higher on each exam for it to count toward your certification.

The final exam looks at your subject area: reading specialist. This 4-hour exam has 80 multiple-choice questions and a constructed response question. It looks at the foundational knowledge, instruction, assessment process, and roles of reading professionals. Like with the other exams, you must score 240 or higher to pass this exam.

Background Check Requirements for Oklahoma Reading Specialists

Every teacher in Oklahoma must complete background checks through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) and the FBI. The cost for both of these reports is $53.94. Prior to having these background checks run, you'll need to be fingerprinted. This can be done at a local law enforcement office, the Oklahoma State Department of Education, or one of its satellite offices. You might want to have your fingerprints digitally scanned for a quicker turnaround on the background check, which can be done at the Oklahoma Department of Education site. If you'd like to see a copy of your report, you must request one from the FBI and not the OSBI.

Certification Resources for Reading Specialists in Oklahoma

There are several exams to take for certification as a reading specialist. Here, we provide you with some resources to help you prepare.